JPIC FORWARD, Canoas, Brazil

Brazil is experiencing socio-political turmoil. Amid scandals of corruption, an institutional crisis, the undoing and withdrawal of rights previously granted to citizens, are contributing to a state of poverty, unemployment and increased violence.

Aware if this situation, the members of the National JPIC Committee of the Brazilian Religious Conference (CRB) and the Justice and Peace Committees of the National Conference of Bishops of Brazil (CNBB) met to study and better understand the situation in Brazil. The criteria for their discussions was the Brazilian biomes, the Encyclical Laudato Sì and the mission of lay Christians in the church and society today.

During the gathering, many lay people as well as men and women religious and priests all of whom are committed to the JPIC cause, shared the challenges they are facing in the different regions of Brazil. Among them is the struggle to bring about the Kingdom of God and to generate life and that life to the full as well as to identify ways by which to help Brazilians brighten the dark and uncertain path they are currently experiencing.

With confidence in our common strength and a hope which springs from our faith rooted in Jesus Christ who came to transform death into life, we are encouraged to strive for justice, peace and the care of all creation in a ​​consolidated Brazilian Justice and Peace network.